Research methods 1

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Transcript of Research methods 1

Observer-expectancy effects Ask them about a specific relationship and transaction: How many years was this a partner? & What is the nr. of clauses the contract Calculate a correlation.Contrary to what was expected we found in reality that contracts are more explicit if buyer and supplier share a past. Observation Science is a process:the PTO-cycle

Problem

Theory

Observation What is the goal of scientific research?Why and how is science a process?What is falsification (and why is it important)?What types of research can be distinguished?What is quality research?Which two main schools of thought about doing research exist?What are the main `types’ of scientific reasoning? This lecture: questions you should be able to answer after this lecture You have to read the book! Plagiarism will be checked AssignmentThe assignment is to write a research proposal. You have to hand in your assignment as hardcopy at the secretary of Human Technology Interaction (IPO 1.20). The assignment will be posted on OASE shortly.

ExamMultiple choice (approx 50 questions). The precise subject matter of the exam will be announced. In the book key words are marked (bold), you need to know and understand them.

Grading for Track 1Your grade for the first Track is a weighted average of the assignment (25%assignment + 75% exam). However, both the assignment and the exam should begraded a 5.0 or higher. So there is some but not complete compensation. Grading and exam Lecture 1

LecturerGerrit Rooks Methods and Models in Behavioral Research Always be critical: The case of Kluge Hans Choose research design.Case studySurveySecondary dataExperimentSelect a sample. Firms in the Eindhoven region (Sampling frame chamber of commerce) Observation An interfirm relationship implies repeated interactions. Firms that prove to be trustworthy will be selected again, not trustworthy firms will not be selected again.Interfirm relationship will be associated with higher levels of trust, and consequently thinner contracts, than spot-market transactions. Theory For instance: How do social networks affect inter-firm trust and contracting between firms? Problem – the research question Third edition Blumberg/Cooper & Schindler

Good general introduction in research methods

Includes Quantitative and Qualitative Methods This track: Research Methods Van Osten Oskar Pfungst A believer vs critical thinker We cannot prove the theory that all swans are white.

However, if we find one black swan, then we can prove that the theory “all swans are white”is false Falsification “Scientific theories, can and should be rationally criticized, and can and should be subjected to tests which may falsify them” Karl Popper “A theory can never be proven, but it can be falsified.” Critical rationalism Science as an empirical cycle Blumberg"A systematic inquiry, the objective of which is to provide information to solve managerial problems.“

Alternative definition"seeking through methodical processes to add to the body of knowledge and, by the discovery of nontrivial facts and insights" Scientific reseach is `systematic’ What is difference between scientific and other forms of research? Knowledge is information that changes something or somebody -- either by becoming grounds for actions, or by making an individual (or an institution) capable of different or more effective action." -- Peter F. Drucker in The New Realities What is (the goal of) scientific research? Track 1: Research Methods (A0P07) Gerrit RooksLectures in EnglishCommunication via OASE (I hope that this works)Track 2: Statistical Models (A0P08)Chris SnijdersLectures in EnglishCommunication via dedicated website (URL will follow) Methods and Models in Behavioral Research (MMBR / 0AP03) Why study research methods? ??? Can horses count?The test / research ReportingChanges in oil prices in the last 2 yearsDescriptiveHow many automobilist switched to electrical power?ExplanatoryWhy are females more likely to switch to electrical power?PredictiveHow many automobilist will switch to electrical power next year? Four types of empirical research Purpose of the study clearly definedResearch process detailedResearch design thoroughly planned Limitations frankly revealedHigh ethical standardFindings presented unambiguouslyConclusions justified What is quality research? Clear, well developed research questions / research problem (not: how do people behave?)Definition of all terms usedLiterature study / pre-research

An unclear problem statement is the fundamentele mistake in social scientific research Purpose clearly defined Thorough planning to maximize reliability & validityPlanning to maximize `objectivity’ Thorough literature research Research design thoroughly planned Replicability Another researcher should in principle be able to repeat the researchTransparancyI should be able to gauge the reliability & validity of the research Research process detailed Research should not harm participants.Researchers should not plagiarize or fabricate results High ethical standard Use clear languageAssertions carefully drawn Presentation of data should be comprehensive Findings presented unambiguously The results should be basis of conclusions, dont exaggerate, or stretch the results. Conclusions justified Every school of thought is like a man who has talked to himself for a hundred years and is delighted with his own mind, however stupid it may be. (J.W.Goethe, 1817, Principles of Natural Science) Philosophy of science (dont panic, this will be short) Basic assumption:Reality is subjective, constructed by interactionInductive reasoningQualitative methods Basic assumption:Reality is objective and measurableDeductive reasoningQuantitative methods phenomenology Positivism “Two schools” All swans are white Is a kind of reasoning that constructs or evaluates propositions that are abstractions of observations Induction Induction en deduction are 2 complementary ways to acquire knowledge Induction en deduction Premise: All men are mortal. Premise: Socrates is a man.

Conclusion: Socrates is mortal. reasoning from one or more general statements regarding what is known to reach a logically certain conclusion.

if certain premises (P) are known or assumed, a conclusion (C) necessarily follows from these. Deductive reasoning A well known prove of the statement that 2=1

This is obviously a flawed argument Deductive reasoning is not fallible . A correct deduction is true and valid

c: Therefore, all dogs are reptiles. p1 If all dogs are mammals, then all dogs are reptiles.p2 All dogs are mammals.

c: Therefore, all dogs are reptiles. B Valid conclusion & False premises A Invalid conclusion & False premisesB Valid conclusion & False premisesC Invalid conclusion & True premisesD Valid conclusion & True premises p1: If all dogs are mammals, then all dogs are animals.p2: All dogs are animals.c: Therefore, all dogs are mammals. C Invalid conclusion & True premises p1: If all dogs are mammals, then all dogs are animals.p2: All dogs are animals.c: Therefore, all dogs are mammals. a)a reporting studyb)a descriptive studyc)an explanatory studyd)a predictive study What type of study is this? “The results of our longitudinal survey show that job satisfaction is caused by fairness perceptions.” c) an explanatory study What type of study is this? “The results of our longitudinal survey show that job satisfaction is caused by fairness perceptions.” Which of the following is not a characteristic of good research according to Blumberg?

a) clearly defined purposeb) quantitative analysisc) conclusions should be justifiedd) findings presented unambiguously Which of the following is not a characteristic of good research according to Blumberg?

a) clearly defined purposeb) quantitative analysisc) conclusions should be justifiedd) findings presented unambiguously Which of the following is an example of inductive thinking?

a)reasoning that a man will be able to hit a golf ball further than a woman because men generally have greater muscle development than womenb)assuming that the sun will rise tomorrow morning because we know that the earth will continue to rotate and the sun will burn for billions of yearsc)assuming that there is something that we name intelligence because we notice that problem solving measures show differences between people that seem to be consistent over time Which of the following is an example of inductive thinking?

a)reasoning that a man will be able to hit a golf ball further than a woman because men generally have greater muscle development than womenb)assuming that the sun will rise tomorrow morning because we know that the earth will continue to rotate and the sun will burn for billions of yearsc)assuming that there is something that we name intelligence because we notice that problem solving measures show differences between people that seem to be consistent over time The research philosophy `positivism’ assumes, amongst others, that:

a)there is a social world that exists externallyb)the researcher is part of what is observedc)the researcher should be driven by human interests d)a researcher should be realistic The research philosophy `positivism’ assumes, amongst others, that:

a)there is a social world that exists externallyb)the researcher is part of what is observedc)the researcher should be driven by human interests d)a researcher should be realistic Why should the research process be decribed in detail?

a) to ensure justified conclusionsb)to maximize validityc) to allow replicabilityd) to enhance research ethics and controlability Why should the research process be decribed in detail?